EP0736401A1 - Dispositif d'attelage et procédé pour la fabrication d'un dispositif d'attelage - Google Patents

Dispositif d'attelage et procédé pour la fabrication d'un dispositif d'attelage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0736401A1
EP0736401A1 EP96810213A EP96810213A EP0736401A1 EP 0736401 A1 EP0736401 A1 EP 0736401A1 EP 96810213 A EP96810213 A EP 96810213A EP 96810213 A EP96810213 A EP 96810213A EP 0736401 A1 EP0736401 A1 EP 0736401A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rod
ball
attachment element
metal
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96810213A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0736401B1 (fr
Inventor
Adrianus C. Van Strien
Jacques C. Van Den Broek
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Scambia Industrial Developments AG
Original Assignee
Scambia Industrial Developments AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scambia Industrial Developments AG filed Critical Scambia Industrial Developments AG
Publication of EP0736401A1 publication Critical patent/EP0736401A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0736401B1 publication Critical patent/EP0736401B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/36—Removing material
    • B23K26/38—Removing material by boring or cutting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K26/00—Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring
    • B23K26/36—Removing material
    • B23K26/40—Removing material taking account of the properties of the material involved
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/01—Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
    • B60D1/06—Ball-and-socket hitches, e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
    • B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
    • B60D1/48—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2101/00—Articles made by soldering, welding or cutting
    • B23K2101/36—Electric or electronic devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
    • B23K2103/00—Materials to be soldered, welded or cut
    • B23K2103/50—Inorganic material, e.g. metals, not provided for in B23K2103/02 – B23K2103/26

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a towing device according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such a towing device is often designated as towing bar and serves for connecting a trailer detachably to a towing vehicle, particularly a motor road vehicle, e.g. a private car.
  • a towing vehicle particularly a motor road vehicle, e.g. a private car.
  • Known detachable towing devices or towing bars are provided with a ball-rod and an attachment element connected to the latter.
  • the attachment element comprises a manually-operated mechanism which enables the towing device to be attached to a bracket and detached thereof, wherein the bracket is permanently fixed to the towing vehicle.
  • the ball-rod and the attachment element are fabricated as seperate parts. These are then joined together by a crimp-connection.
  • the cyclindrical end of the towing-bar is retained inside a hole in the attachment element. Insertion of the oversize towing-bar into this hole is facilitated during fabrication by heating the attachment element to a high temperature, thereby causing the hole to expand. After insertion of the ball-rod and cooling of the attachment element, the so-called crimp-connection is obtained.
  • the fatique-resistance of the crimp-connection is limited, thereby reducing its application to smaller towing-bars.
  • This limitation in fatique resistance is caused partly by the residual stress which exists in the material after crimping, and partly by surface degradation which occurs in the region adjacent to the attachment element caused by microdisplacement of two pieces relative to each other (fit-corrossion).
  • the attachment element has to be of sufficient dimensions to enable a crimp-connection with the ball-rod. In general this means that the attachment element has to be minimally 10 to 12 millimeters broader than the ball-rod diameter, thereby resulting in more weight and greater material-costs.
  • the application a of crimp-connection demands accurate dimensioning of the ball-rod, which results in greater manufacturing costs.
  • the invention relates also to a method for the production of a towing device. This method is defined according to the invention by claim 8.
  • the ball-rod is joined to the attachment element by means of a metal-adhesion and/or metal-smelt connection.
  • This connection is formed at least over substantial parts of the contact-surfaces of the ball-rod and the attachment element.
  • the contact-surfaces are preferably plain, smooth and full, i.e. free of recesses or holes or the like.
  • the contact-surfaces are for instance circular.
  • the metal-smelt and/or metal-adhesion connection covers preferably at least the largest part of each contact-surface and for instance at least substantailly the complete contact-surfaces at which the ball-rod and the attachment element face and contact each other.
  • the metal-adhesion and/or metal-smelt connection completely covers the contact-surfaces.
  • the metal-smelt and/or metal-adhesion connection may be formed by a substantially uniform, homogeneous heating of the contact-surfaces.
  • MIG metal inert gas
  • MAG metal active gas
  • TIG tungsten inert gas
  • manual-arc or autogeneous welding techniques are all based on metal-joining by only local smelting, and are not, in view of the low fatigue-resistance caused in part by residual crimping stresses, suitable for joining the ball-rod to the attachment element.
  • the towing device manufactured in accordance with this invention has the advantage that undesirable features of the known fabrication methods described above, are avoided.
  • the attachment element may be a universal element (i.e. the same for all vehicles), while the ball-rod attachment element combination is physically compact, has a large resistance to fatigue and is economical to manufacture.
  • a favourable refinement of the invention utilizes a metal-adhesion and/or metal-smelt connection which is obtained by means of a pressure butt-weld.
  • the metal-adhesion and/or metal-smelt connection is obtained by a friction-weld.
  • the towing device or towing bar shown in the two Figures comprises a rod-bar 1 and an attachment element 2.
  • the rod-bar 1 and the attachment element 2 consist initially of separate pieces and are represented in the two Figures in separate state.
  • the rod-bar 1 has a flattened ball at one end and a contact-surface 3 at the other end.
  • the rod-bar 1 is initially straight and rotationally symmetric to an axis as shown by full lines. The rod-bar may then be bent so as to obtain the shape shown in dotted lines.
  • the attachment element 2 comprises a contact-surface 4.
  • the attachment element comprises also a main portion 5 and a projection 6 shown only in Fig. 2.
  • the projection 6 projects away from the main portion 5 towards the ball-rod 1.
  • the initially free end of the projection 6 forms the contact-surface 4.
  • the ball-rod 1 and the attachment element 2 consist of a metallic material, i.e. steel.
  • the contact-surfaces 3 and 4 are plain, smooth, circular and free of recesses or holes or the like. The diameters of the contact-surfaces are about equal to the diameter of the cylindrical main portion of the ball-rod 1.
  • the attachment element 2 is provided with a bore in the vicinity of the upper end.
  • a pin is attached in this bore and forms a part of quick coupling means 7.
  • the attachment element 2 can be attached to a towing vehicle which is not shown.
  • the towing vehicle comprises a frame to which a receptacle bracket is rigidly and undetachably fastened, e.g. welded.
  • the bracket is also provided with quick coupling means and formed in such a way that the attachment element 2 can be attached manually to the bracket and again separated manually from the bracket.
  • the ball-rod 1 and the attachment element 2 are produced separately, i.e. as separate pieces. The two pieces are then connected rigidly and undetachably for instance by pressure butt-welding or by friction welding.
  • the metallic materials forming the contact-surfaces 3 and 4 of the ball-rod 1 and the attachment element 2 are heated and brought into a plastic and/or molten state during the welding operation. If the materials forming the contact-surfaces melt, the ball-rod 1 and the attachment element 2 are then joined by a metal-smelt connection. If the materials forming the contact-surfaces 3, 4 achieve only plastic states, the ball-rod 1 and the attachment element 2 are then joined by a metal-adhesion connection. If the materials achieve plastic states and/or melt substantially over the whole contact-surfaces, a very solid connection is achieved which is at least almost free of stresses.
  • the pressure butt-welding and friction-welding techniques are described more in detail below.
  • Pressure butt-welding involves applying an electrical potential difference to the two metallic pieces which are to be connected, i.e. to the ball-rod 1 and the attachment element 2.
  • the two pieces are then brought into contact, and subsequently withdrawn from each other in order to generate an electric-arc. Maintenance of the arcing for several seconds causes the whole of the connecting surfaces or contact-surfaces 3, 4 or - more precisely - the material forming these surfaces to melt. Afterwards, the two pieces are pressed hard against each other to achieve the required weld-joint.
  • Friction welding relies on heating the contacting surfaces 3, 4 not by electrical energy, but by friction between the contact-surfaces.
  • the ball-rod 1 is pressed against the attachment element 2 using a large force, while the same is rotated around its axis.
  • rotation is ceased and the both pieces are pressed with considerable force into their definitive positions.
  • the ball-rod 1 and the attachment element 2 are joined by one of this welding methods, one may bend the ball-rod 1 so that the towing device forms then a hook.
  • the rod-bar and the attachment element are joined by pressure butt-welding, one may possibly bend the ball-rod before the ball-rod is connected to the attachment element.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Pressure Welding/Diffusion-Bonding (AREA)
  • Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)
  • Milling Processes (AREA)
  • Outer Garments And Coats (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
EP96810213A 1995-04-04 1996-04-03 Dispositif d'attelage et procédé pour la fabrication d'un dispositif d'attelage Expired - Lifetime EP0736401B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1000039 1995-04-04
NL1000039A NL1000039C2 (nl) 1995-04-04 1995-04-04 Trekhaak voorzien van een afneembare kogelstang en van een aan een voertuig te bevestigen opnamehuis voor opname van de kogelstang.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0736401A1 true EP0736401A1 (fr) 1996-10-09
EP0736401B1 EP0736401B1 (fr) 2001-10-10

Family

ID=19760818

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96810213A Expired - Lifetime EP0736401B1 (fr) 1995-04-04 1996-04-03 Dispositif d'attelage et procédé pour la fabrication d'un dispositif d'attelage

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0736401B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE206670T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69615729T2 (fr)
ES (1) ES2162009T3 (fr)
NL (1) NL1000039C2 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009088284A1 (fr) * 2007-12-10 2009-07-16 Safenat Paneach Nv Procédé de soudage pour la fabrication d'une barre de remorquage amovible pour véhicules particuliers
NL2001621C2 (nl) * 2008-05-27 2009-11-30 Terwa B V Losneembaar trekhaakdeel.
CN112475807A (zh) * 2020-11-20 2021-03-12 杭州瑞诺机械有限公司 一种铝合金拖车棒加工工艺

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2442151A1 (fr) * 1978-11-21 1980-06-20 Germain Et Lejour Ets Dispositif d'attelage de remorques a des vehicules tracteurs
DE8423990U1 (de) * 1984-08-13 1987-03-05 SMAT-Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH, 6325 Grebenau Verbindung einer Kupplungskugel mit dem zapfenförmigen Zugstangenende
DE9319729U1 (de) * 1993-12-22 1994-07-07 Möhling GmbH & Co., 58762 Altena Formbolzen

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2442151A1 (fr) * 1978-11-21 1980-06-20 Germain Et Lejour Ets Dispositif d'attelage de remorques a des vehicules tracteurs
DE8423990U1 (de) * 1984-08-13 1987-03-05 SMAT-Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH, 6325 Grebenau Verbindung einer Kupplungskugel mit dem zapfenförmigen Zugstangenende
DE9319729U1 (de) * 1993-12-22 1994-07-07 Möhling GmbH & Co., 58762 Altena Formbolzen

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009088284A1 (fr) * 2007-12-10 2009-07-16 Safenat Paneach Nv Procédé de soudage pour la fabrication d'une barre de remorquage amovible pour véhicules particuliers
NL2001621C2 (nl) * 2008-05-27 2009-11-30 Terwa B V Losneembaar trekhaakdeel.
EP2127914A1 (fr) * 2008-05-27 2009-12-02 Terwa B.V. Dispositif d'attelage amovible
CN112475807A (zh) * 2020-11-20 2021-03-12 杭州瑞诺机械有限公司 一种铝合金拖车棒加工工艺

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL1000039C2 (nl) 1996-10-07
ATE206670T1 (de) 2001-10-15
ES2162009T3 (es) 2001-12-16
DE69615729T2 (de) 2002-08-01
DE69615729D1 (de) 2001-11-15
EP0736401B1 (fr) 2001-10-10

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